Current-controlling device.



L. O. CORELL.

CURRENT CONTROLLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.17,1911.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

maenioa if 774 Z0 M g/L LEON O. COBELL, O]? KALAHAZOO, MICHIGAN.

CURRENT-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

Application filed April 17, 1911. Serial No. 621,590.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON O CORELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Current-Controlling Devices, of whichthe following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements 1n circuit controlling devices.

- The main objects ofthis inventionare: First; to provide an improvedcircuit controlling device for lamps or other circuits, which enablesthe opening or closin of the circuits from an desired number 0 points.

Second; toprovide an improved controlling device for electrical circuitscontrolled by an electromagnet in which the circuit is closed on oneenergizing of the magnet and opened on the succeeding energizing of themagnet. Third; to provide an improved control device for electricalcircuits which enables the opening or closing or the circuits from aplurality of points with a minimum amount of wiring. Fourth; to providean improved device of the class described which is very compact instructure and not likely to et out of repair or to become inoperative.Figh; to provlde an improved control device of the class described whichmay be operated by simple forms of control switches. Sixth; to providean improved device of the class described in which the devices may bearranged and connected in series. Seventh; to provide in a device of theclass described an improved casing.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention 40 by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A-structure which is a preferred embodiment ofmy invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawin forming a part of thisspecification, in w ich:

F i re I is a plan view of a structure cmbodymg the features of myinvention with the cover removed. Fig. II is a detail view of a pair ofthe devices one being superimposed upon the-other, the upper devicebeing shown mainly in vertical section taken on a line corresponding toline 22 of Fig. I. Fig. III is a vertical section taken on a linecorresponding toline 33 of Fig. I. Fig. IV is a perspective view of thearmature and contact member 22 removed from the casing. Fig. V is aninverted perspective view of the control member 29. Fig. VI is adiagrammatic view showing a series of the devices and their Wiring.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the casing and 2 the coverthereof. The casing is provided with flanges 3 on its bottom, so thatwhen the casings are arran ed in series as shown in Fig. II thesuperimppsed casing serves as a cover for the casing low. The casing isprovided at its upper end with cover engaging flanges 4. The

casing is preferably formed of porcelain, although other suitableinsulating material might obviously be used. Or if desired the casingmight be formed of any material and the parts arranged therein suitablyinsulated.

Within the casing I arran e an electro magnet 5. This is supported y thebracket 6 which in the structure illustrated is secured by the screw 7arranged through the bottom of the casing. The armature 8- is mounted onthe pivot 9, carried by the bracket 10. This bracket is in the structureillustrated secured by the screw 11 arranged through the bottom of thecasing. These brackets are seated in the bottom of the casing as shownin Fig. II. Above the magnet I arrange a pair of circuit or terminalmembers 12,'the rear wall of the casing being Ei-ovided with seats 13 inwhich the memrs 12 are clamped by means of the screws 14 and theterminal members 16. The screws 14 are arranged in holes 15 providedtherefor inthe wall of the casing, to engage the terminal members 16.(See Fig. III). At the rear of one of these seats. the wall of thecasing is provided with a vertical hole 17 through which the line wire18 is passed. This wire is connected to the terminal member 16 by meansof the bindingscrew 19. When the devices are arranged in series asillustrated these holes 17 are in alinemcnt and the line wire isextended through them all. The controlled circuitwire 20 is connected tothe other terminal member as 11:

shown in Fig. T. The wall is provided with a recess 22 for the wire 20.

Coacting with the circuit or terminal members 12 is a contact member 21,which is in the structure illustrated, mounted on the armature pivot 9between the armature and the coils. With the parts in their open ornormal position on the energizing of the magnet, the contact member 21is closed. 011 the succeeding energizing of the magnet the circuit isbroken and the contact member returned to its open position. I will nowdescribe the means by which this is accomplished. i

The contact member 21 is provided With rearwardly projecting downwardlyinclined flange-like keeper members 23, which when the contact member isclosed are engaged by the oifsetlike catches 24 on the ends of thecircuit members 12, so that the contact member is retained in its closedposition. The armature is provided with a release member 25, which ispivoted at 26 on the rearwardly projecting arm 27 on the upper end ofthe armature. This release member is provided with a contact membercatch 28. The arm 27 limits the downward movement of the release memberon its pivot. A control member 29 is provided to coact with thisrelease. The rear end of this control member is arranged in a seat 30provided therefor in the rear wall of the casing, its forward endresting upon the contact 21. At its forward end the control member 29 isprovided with flange like cams 31 which ride up on the contact member asit is closed, so that the control member is raised and retained in itsraised or actuated position when the contact member is in its closedposition. (See Fig. MT.) The control member is provided with stops 32for the contact member and with rests 33 at the rear ends of the cams31. The flange-like cams 31 also serve as guides forthe release memberas it passes between them on the circuit opening actuation of themagnet. The control member is provided with a plate 34 of insulatingmaterial, which projects under the circuit members 12 so that when thecontrol member is elevated the forward ends of the circuit members areraised. Vl'hcn the control member is in its normal position as shown inFigs. T and H and the armature actuated, the release mem ber 25 passesover the control member and is thereby disengaged from the contactmember, the contact member being engaged by the circuit members isretained in its closed position so that upon the deenergizing of themagnet the armature returns to its initial position, leaving the contactmember in its closed position. 'l pon the rei nergizing of the magnetwith the parts in this position, the control member is raised by therelease member 25 as shown in Fig. HI, to break the circuit byseparating the circuit and contact members and the release member isengaged with the contact member so that. on the deenergizing of themagnet the contact member is carried back to its open position. Thiscompletes the cycle of movement. It will be noted that the circuit isbroken upon the second energizing of the magnet. This is of advantage asit is very desirable to have it broken at this point' rather than on thesecond denergizing of the magnet. Further a quick break of the circuitis secured, which prevents arcing. Whenthe armature is in its openposition, the rear flattened end 43 ot the member 25 rests against theWall of the casin which holds the release member downwar ly upon itssupporting arm 27, as is shown in Fig. Ill.

The battery circuit wires are connected to the magnet coils through thewires 36 which are arranged in passages 37 in the walls of the casingand connected by the screws 38 to the terminal members 39. The switchwires 40 are arranged in similarpassages. These passages open throughthe bottom of the casing for convenience in assembling parts with theconnections. Thus arranged it is quite impossible for them to" shortcircuit and the devices may be Very easily put into the system.

In Fig. Vii T illustrate diagrammatically a series of the devices, eachdevice being provided with a pair of switches 41. These are shown inconventional form. It is obvious that they may be placed in any desiredposition. I illustrate a battery 42 as a source of supply for operatingthe magnets. Any suitable source of supply may be used. This arrangementof parts reduces the amount of wiring to a minimum and the controlswitches may be of any form, a. single push button switch serving toturn on or off the circuit, one closing of the switch will close thecircuit controlled and the succeeding closing of the switch will openthe circuit.

My improvements are especially designed by me for use in electriclighting systems, as they enable the control of the lamps from as manypoints as may be desired. The control switches l1 may be placed in anyposition for convenient manipulation and as. a single switch or pushbutton answers the purpose. the same can be placed in the floor or inany convenient position to be actuated by the foot as no selection ofbuttons for opening or closing is required.

While the particular form illustrated has numerous advantages, 1 amaware that considerable variation in structural details are possiblewithout departing from my invention, but as such variations will nodoubt be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates. i have not attempted to illustrate or describe thesame herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: V

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; a pivotally supported armature adapted to swing away fromsaid magnet when denergized; a circuit member; a coacting contact memberpivotally mounted between the armature and the magnet to be actuated bythe armature; a release member pivoted on said armature and having acontact member catch; and a control member operatively associated withsaid circuit member and arranged to be engaged by said contact member,said control member being provided with a stop for said contact memberand with downwardlyrojecting flange-like cams with which sai contactmember coacts on closing to actuate said contact member and retain it inits actuated position, the forward end of said control member beingforked to guide said release member,.said cams also serving as guidesfor said release member which passes over said control memher anddisengages said catch from said contact member when the armature isactuated with the contact member in its open position, and under saidcontrol member and actuates the same to separate said circuit andcontact members and to engage said catch with said contact when thearmature is actuated with the contact member in its closed position.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; a pivotally supported armature adapted to swing away fromsaid magnet when denergized; a circuit member; a coacting contact memberpivotally mounted between the armature and the magnet to be actuated bythe arma-- ture; a release member pivoted on said armature; and acoacting control member operatively associated with said circuit memberand arranged to be engaged by said contact member and provided with camswith which 'said contact member coacts on closing to actuate and retainsaid control member in its actuated position, the forward end of saidcontrol member being forked to guide said release member, said cams alsoserving as guides for said release member which passes over said controlmember when the armature is actuated with the contact member in its 0 nposition, and under said control mem ir and actuates the same to searate said circuit and contact members w 18!! the armature is actuatedwith the contact member in its closed position.

3. In' a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature pivoted at its lower end, said armature beingadapted to swing away from said magnet when denergized; spring circuitmembers; a coacting contact member pivotally mounted on the armaturepivot etween the armature and the magnet to be actuated by the armature,said contact member being provided with keepers at its up er end, saidcircuit members being provi ed with catches adapted to engage saidkeepers when said contact member is in its actuated position; a releasemember carried by said armature and having a contact member catch; and acoacting control member arranged to act on said circuit members, saidcontrol member being actuated by and retained in its actuated osition bysaid contact member when it is actuated to circuit closing position,said release member pass ing over said control member upon the actuationof said armature when the contact member is in its unactuated positionand disengaging the said catch from the contact mem ers and passingunder said control 85 member and actuating the same to open said contactand circuit members and engage said catch with said contact member uponthe actuation of said armature when the contact member is in itsactuated position.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature pivoted at its lower end, said armature beingadapted to swing away from said magnet when deenergized; spring circuit95 members; a coacting contact member pivot v ally mounted on thearmature pivot between the armature and the magnet to be actuated by thearmature, said contact member being provided with keepers at its upperend, said circuit members being provided with catches adapted to engagesaid keepers when said contact member is in its actuated position; arelease member carried by said armature; and a coacting control memberarranged to' 105 act on said circuit members, said control member beingactuated by and retained in its actuated position by said contact'memherwhen it is actuated to circuit closing pd sition, said release memberpassing over said control member upon the actuation of said armaturewhen the contact member is in its open position and passing under saidcontrol member, and actuating the same to open said circuit and contactmembers upon the actuation of said armaturewhcn the contact member is inits closed position.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature; spring circuit members; a coacting contactmember provided with rear wardly projecting downwardly-inclinedflange-like keepers at its upper end, said cir cuit members beingprovided with catches adapted to engage said keepers when said contactmember is in its actuated position; a release member carried by-saidarmature; and a, coacting control member actuated by and retained in itsactuated position by said contact member when said contact is in itsactuated position, said release member passing under said control memberwhen said armature is actuated to disengage said contact member fromsaid circuit members.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; a release member carriedby said armature and having a contact member catch; and a coactingcontrol member actuated by and retained in its actuated position by saidcontact member, said release member passing over said control member andreleasing said catch from said contact member upon the actuation of saidarmature when the control member is in its unactuated position andpassing under said control member and opening the circuit and engagingsaid catch with said contact member upon the actuation of said armaturewhen the contact member is in its actuated position.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelect-romagnet; an armature; a spring circuit member; a coacting pivotedcontact member, said circuit and contact members being provided withcoacting catch and keeper member-s-;-a release member carried by saidarmature provided with a contact member catch, and a ooacting controlmember operatively associated with said circuit member, and disengagingsaid catch from said contact member on the contact closing actuation ofsaid armature, said release member actuating said control memher todisengage the contact and circuit members on the succeeding actuation ofsaid armature and to engage said catch with said contact member.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelcctromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; a coacting contact member;a release member carried by said armature, said release member beingprovided with a contact member catch; and a control member fordisengaging said catch from said contact member on the contact closingactuation of said armature. the closing ofsaicl contact actuatiirg saidcontrol member, said release member, on the succeeding actuation of saidarmature actuating said control member to disengage said contact andcircuit members and engaging said catch with said contact member.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of aneleclromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; a coacting contact memberactuated by said arimiture, a

release member actuated by said armature,

and a control member actuated and supported in its actuated position bysaid contact member in which position said release member on theactuation of said armature actuates said control member to separate saidcontact and circuit members.

10. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of the electromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; acoacting contact member actuated by said armature; a re lease membercarried by said armature provided with a contact member catch; and acontrol member for releasing said catch from the contact member on thecontact closing actuation of said armature, said control member beingactuated by the closing of said contact member to permit said catch toengage said contact member on the succeeding actuation of the armature.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; a coacting contact memberactuated by said armature; a release member and contact catch carried bysaid armature; and a control member for releasing said catch from thecontact member on .one actuation of the armature, said control memberbeing actuated by the closing of said contact member to permit saidcatch to engage the contact member on the succeeding actuation of thearmature whereby said contact member is returned to its inoperativeposition after such actuation.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; a coacting contact member;an armature actuated member engaging said contact member and separat ingsaid contact and circuit member to open the circuit on the energizing ofthe magnet and returning the contact member to its inoperative positionon the deenergizing of the magnet.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination of anelectromagnet; an armature; a circuit member; a coacting armatureactuated contact member; a contact engaging and release member; ameeting control member operatively associated with said contact andcircuit members and actuated by the closing of said contact member, saidrelease member passing over said control member on the contact closingactuation of the armature and under the same on the succeeding actuationof the armature to separate said circuit and contact members and toengage said contact whereby the circuit is broken on the energizing ofthe mag net and the contact returned to its inoperative position on thedeenergizing of the magnet.

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a casingof insulating material, having a cover flange and a bottom flange. thebottom flange being adapted to court with the cover flange of anothercasing. whereby one casing may be superir'nposcd upon and serve as acover for another. said casing being provided with a vertical circuitwire passage in its rear wall and with magnet circuit wire passages inits front wall, an electromagnet and an armature therefor arranged insaid casing, supporting brackets for said magnet and armature seated inthe bottom oil said caslng and secured by screws varran ed throu h thecasim bottom the seated in the front wall of said casing and secured byscrews arranged in said magnet circuit wire passages, said passagesbeing open through the bottom of the, casing.

, 15. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a casingof insulating material, having a cover flange and a bottom flange, thebottom flange being adapted to coactwith the cover flange of anothercasing, whereby one casing may be superimposed upon and serve as a coverfor another,

"said casing being provided with a vertical circuit wire passage in itsrear wall and with magnet circuit wire passages in its front wall, anelectromagnet and an armature therefor arranged in said casing, acontact member actuated by said armature, a pair of circuit memberscoacting with said contact member the rear wall of said casing beinprovided with seats for said circuit mem ers, circuit terminal membersarranged in said seats and secured therein by clampmg screws, the rearwall of the casing being provided with vertical holes for said screwsopen at the bottom. and magnet circuit terminal members seated in thefront wall of sand casing and secured by screws arranged in said magnetcircuit wire passages, said passages being open through the bottom ofthe casing.

16. In a structure of the class described,- the combination of a casingof insulating material, having'a cover flange and a bot.- tom flange,the bottom flange being adapted to coact with'the cover flange ofanother casing, whereby one casing may be superimposed u on and serve asa cover for another, sai casing being provided with a vertical circuitwire passage in its rear wall and with magnet circuit wire passages inits front wall, an electromagnet and an armature therefor arranged insaid casing, a contact member actuated by said armature, a air ofcircuit members meeting with sai contact member, and magnet cirw cuitterminal members seated in the front wall of said casing and secured byscrews arranged in said magnet circuit wire passages, said passagesbeing open through the bottom of the casing.

17. In a structure ot'the class described, the combination of a casingof insulating material, provided with a vertical circuit wire passage inits rear wall and with magnet circuit wire passages in its front wall,an electromagnet and an armature therefor arranged in said casing,supportingbrackets for said magnet and armature seated in the bottom ofsaid casing and secured by screws arranged through the casing bottom,the bottom bein provided with seats for the heads of sa' screws, acontact member actuated by said armature, a air of circuit memberscoacting with suit contact member the'rear wall of said casing beingprovided with seats for said circuit members, circuit terminal membersarranged in said seats and secured therein by clamping screws, the rearwall of the casing being provided with vertical holes for said screwsopen at the bottom, and magnet circuit terminal members seated in thefrontwall of said casing and secured by screws arranged in openingsthrough the bottom of the cusing.

18. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a casingof insulating material, provided with a vertical circuit wire passage inits rear wall and with magnet circuit wire passages in its front wall,an electromagnet and an armature therefor arranged in said casing, acontact member actuated by said armature. a pair of circuit memberscoacting withv said contact member, and magnet circuit terminal membersseated in the front wall of said casing and secured by screws arrangedin openings throu h the bottom of the casing.

19. -n a structure of the class described, the combination of a casingof insulating v material; an electromagnet and an armature thereforarranged in said casing, a contact member actuated by said armature, apair of circuit members coacting with said contact member the rear wallof said casing being provided with seats for said circuit members andcircuit terminal members arranged in said seats and secured therein byclamping screws, the rear wall of the casing being provided withvertical holes for said screws open at the bottom.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

LEON o. corner. [1 s.]

